hipstamatic hair

I wore another headband today (a dainty, little pearly one) and wanted to make sure it's documented!  So here I am, care of my Hipstamatic iPhone app.  Have you used this app?  It's kind of a surprise way of taking photos.  You never know what you're going to get in your photo.  So, I figure that out of these six shots of random pieces of my head, you'll get an idea.  :)

My husband was honest with me this morning (after I had to totally drag it out of him because he's too nice and very smart).  He prefers this classic headband/ponytail look to yesterday's hippie chick look.  And although I agree with him, I have to say that yesterday was darn fun and I am so glad I tried something new.

What about you?  Are you wearing headbands these days?

hey, flower child

I just went for it today with my headband.  No holding back.  I made it through the whole day, rocking the hippie chick look.  And it was sorta fun, even.

*Sporting

blouse - Old Navy

shorts - Banana Republic Outlet

flats - JCP

headband - Target

flower clip - NW Beauty Supply

And then at the end of the day, when I went to the airport to pick up Mr. Husband, a man walked by and did the giantest double-take ever and said, "Hey, flower child."  And I really didn't know how to come back from that one, so I turned around, put up two fingers and said peace. *creeper

Anyway, considering just a couple days ago I was ready to never ever wear another headband for the rest of my life, today's endeavor was a huge step for me.  I certainly will not be so quick to hop on Google and type the words appropriate for women over 30 every time I have clothing doubts.  I mean really, what a downer.  Who makes these fashion rules anyway???  Let's break 'em!  :)

So, would you rock this hippie look?  

*If you're wondering about this sudden headband obsession, see here for explanation!

grateful for friday!!!

Yay!  Time for some gratefulness!

Saturday:  A last day in Seattle, spent outside in the beautiful sunshine with my husband.   Lovely.  Then on the long drive home, we stopped in the little, tiny town of Ellensburg to get some Cokes at McDonalds.  And inside the restaurant, a toothless man yelled, "Hey!  What kind of shoes are those?"  And I happily informed him that they were indeed called wedges.  I felt like such a city slicker.  :)

Sunday:  My kids came home from being with the grandparents for a week!  Plus it worked out perfectly that my parents were in town the same day as Husband's parents drove into town from Texas.  So it was like a family reunion!  

Monday:  A warm day by the pool.  Awesome.  I finally have a tan started.

Tuesday:  I'll be honest here.  I am never thrilled to go bowling.  I mean, I'll go.  But I am never the one to suggest we go bowling.  But we went bowling with the grandparents and it really was a blast.  I am grateful for bumpers.  Without them, my bowling ball would not have a chance.  

Wednesday:  My son left for two weeks, joining his grandma and grandpa on their road trip back to Texas.  This is a mega-giant step in that boy's life.  He has been so nervous about this venture.  But he got into the car with them and he drove away...happy.  Thank goodness.  Now he just has the plane ride home to look forward to.  And this boy is not a fan of being in the air.  Wish him luck!

Thursday:  A home-cooked meal is much to be thankful for these days.  And even though this household is down to three of us this week, I made a real dinner.  And it was tasty.  Then the girls and I watched Justin Beiber: Never Say Never and it was surprisingly good.  Mostly it was just cool hanging with my homegirls.  :)

Friday:  My last summer class starts today and ends tomorrow!  I really, really really would rather be by a pool in 90 degree weather, but I do love my classes.  I am grateful to have discovered what I am passionate about in my life and that I have the opportunity to take classes that get me all excited about teaching!

Well, that's that.  Man, that feels good...focusing on the good stuff.  If you have a post you'd like to share about gratitude or what's awesome in your life, please feel free to link up below!  I'd love to read some good news!

reader appreciation!!!

I'd like to thank Ally from Fever Thrift for becoming one of my newest followers!  Thank you, Ally - for stopping by and commenting!

Ally is on her way to becoming a teacher too and, like me, is interested in styles that are conducive to teaching.  One difference between us is that she is a thrift-master.  If you've been following me long enough, you know I dabble in thrift, but just don't have the skills.  Ally has got it down though, and she has wonderful stories to go along with her purchases.  So, if you like a good chuckle and stuff you can easily relate to, check out her blog!  Here's a sneak peek...

source

Thanks Again, Ally!

not too old

Okay, so it turns out I was apprehensive about headbands for nothing.  And thanks to this girl, I feel 100% confident that I am not too old to partake in wearing them.

*Sporting

black & white top - Gap

denim skirt - Gap

red Dorothy shoes - Nordstrom

yellow chunky watch - Woot.com

grey headband - who knows

If you missed my hoopla about headbands, feel free to check out yesterday's post and get yourself caught up.  Otherwise, just know that I know that I am not too old to wear them.  :)

In other news...  I am returning to my original Grateful for Friday posting-style.  Originally (every Friday), I listed the things I was most grateful for throughout the week.  Then I changed it to focus on particular things (home, vacation, etc).  Then I realized that meant that I had to find something to be grateful for instead of just being simply grateful for whatever naturally occurred in my week.  I like that much better.  It allows me to focus and pay gratitude toward those good things that just happen.  So, I am still going to invite ya'all to link up.  There will always be a link-up.  But you can share anything you are grateful for.  Your choice.  If you keep a gratitude list, you can link to that.  I'm open.  :)  So, tomorrow I will post my gratitude list for this week!  Wahoo!

too old or not too old...

that is the question.  Little Miss Momma is hosting a challenge of the headband kind.  And although I do love the look of some of the bands adorning ladies locks these days, I somehow feel that perhaps I might be a bit too old for such a cute, young trend.  Plus there is the fact that as I have 'gracefully' grown older, I have decided that comfort wins.  And headbands are headaches.  But I am not one to so easily say no to a challenge.  So, I am taking the challenge and exploring ways a 37 year-old can get the look of a headband or even wear an appropriate headband.  Because, as one knows, when working with young children, hair works best out of one's face.  So, bring on the headband (or something like it) challenge!

*Sporting

denim shirt dress - Gap

feather necklace - Nordstrom

olive sandals - Gap

So, obviously today I opted for a headband-looking braid.  This style is so nice because a) it's easy-peasy and b) because it helps keep my hair out of my face, and c) it's subtle and age-appropriate - yet youthful. I think when it comes to hair adornments, simple is best.  Unless you're young - then go for it GI Joe!  I'll live vicariously through you.  :)

I would love to hear from you though!  What's your take on headbands and age?  Am I ridiculous?  Should I just put one of these on and we'll take a vote???

you get the idea

This morning my in-laws were over and I just didn't know how to explain about going outside to take my own photos.  Even I don't understand it.  So, I had to be quick and unsuspicious, which apparently meant I was not going to get my full person into the viewfinder.  And I was going to have a serious look on my face.  And hold onto a flower.

And these are the sandals I was wearing...

Until I went bowling with these people...

And sported these awesome shoes...

So I could get form like this...

Didn't even break 100.  

*Sporting

striped blouse - Banana Republic

white rolled bermudas - Costco

olive sandals - Gap

bowling shoes - North Bowl

growing butterflies - summer family activity

Last Spring, I brought caterpillars into the preschool classroom and the children really enjoyed watching them turn into butterflies.  So, I thought I would do the same at home this summer, for my own kiddos.  It really is such an amazing process, even for grown-ups to watch.  And there are so many activities to base around this real-life experience.

Here's what the process looks like...

Our caterpillars arrived by mail.  I bought a butterfly kit online from Amazon, and the ordering instructions came with the kit.

About 5 days after their arrival, the caterpillars formed into their chrysalises.  It was a quick change.  Each caterpillar had eaten and eaten and then worked its way up to the top of the container to hang from the top.  Then, presto-chango!

The butterfly home!

I pinned the paper lid to the top of the cage.  Carefully.

And about 7 days later, the butterflies emerged!

I used a votive holder with a plastic lid for the sugar-water holder.  I put a small hole in the lid, rolled up a small piece of paper towel, and it served as an absorbent feeding sponge.

Then a few days later, these guys were ready to be released!

We took them outside, opened the cage, and watched them work their way out to freedom!

Beautiful, right?

And after a few butterfly kisses, they were gone.

Okay, maybe just one more goodbye kiss!

I highly recommend this activity if you are looking for something fun and inexpensive to do!  Supply kids with magnifying glasses, paper and crayons and ask them to observe and draw what they see.  Read books about butterflies.  Make finger-paint butterfly handprints.  Have kiddos crawl into a sleeping bag and then emerge as beautiful butterflies.  Dance with colorful scarves to fluttery, butterfly classical music.  So many ways to make this experience even better!!!

Happy Butterfly-Growing!

a trip to the library - summer family activity

There are so many things to do outdoors during the summer, but if you're looking to beat the heat or escape the rain showers, there's always fun to be had at the good old library!  We are lucky to live right around the corner from our library, so a bike ride is perfect transportation for us!

Our library also offers storytime for the younger children, which is a great way to get those tots some practice in socialization, while also developing (hopefully) an interest and appreciation for books!  My kids are too old now, but I used to take them to the library for storytime and although chaotic at times, I know they loved listening to those stories.  Storytime these days usually involves movement exercises in-between books, so don't fret if you've got an active kiddo!  

Older children can learn to use the computer to look up call numbers and find their own books and find a quiet place to peruse the pages!  

Happy Reading!

goodbye, Seattle!

Yesterday was another gorgeous day in the Pacific Northwest.  I went for a nautical look, not purposefully, but it was fitting since we spent the day near the water in Kirkland.

*Sporting

striped tee - Gap

white shorts - Costco

franco sarto wedge sandals - Shoes.com

Husband and I are Food Network junkies and he has always wanted to stop and eat at a little diner that was featured on TV.  So, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Red Mill Burgers, located in the Green Lake area.  It was a small, hopping joint, with a constant line of hungry people and we loved the atmosphere and the people-watching.  After lunch, we drove over to Kirkland and walked the cute downtown area and out onto the dock, over the water.  It was nice to see the Seattle-area people out in droves, finally getting to enjoy some perfectly sunny weather.  :)  We even stopped at a little designer consignment shop called Ragamoffyn's - thanks to Jean of all Trades, who gave me the recommendation!  Thanks, Jean!  What a neat shop.  

Anyway, I'm back at home now and my children come home today!  But my cupboards are bare.  So, I'm going to get myself outta bed and head to the grocery store.  The good news is that I don't have to clean!  Because no kids for a week = a clean house!  But I'll take a messy house with kids in it over a clean house any day!!!  Miss those twerps.  :) 

Have a glorious Sunday!